Protective lid for deck flange

ABSTRACT

A protective lid for a deck flange. The protective lid may include a cap and a shaft extending from the bottom of the cap. The cap may be rounded and in a dome shape. The shaft may be inserted into a deck flange. Due to the rounded dome shape of the cap, a tarp may be placed on to the protective lid without being torn or damaged.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/677,960, filed Jul. 31, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective lid and, more particularly, to a protective lid that fits into a deck flange and prevents damage to a pool covering tarp.

A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, paddling pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. A pool can be built either above or in the ground, and from materials such as concrete, metal, plastic, or fiberglass. Some swimming pools may have ladders or rails on the side to help users exit the pool. During the winter, the swimming pool may be covered up and therefore the ladders may be removed. However, a deck flange may remain where the ladder attaches. An exposed deck flange may rip the pool cover and may fill up with debris.

As can be seen, there is a need for a protective device that prevents damage to the tarp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a protective lid for a deck flange comprises: a dome shaped cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge, wherein the edge tapers toward the bottom surface; a shaft protruding from the bottom surface of the cap, wherein the shaft comprises a top end connected to the cap and a bottom end, wherein the shaft is shaped to fit within a deck flange.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of covering a pool comprises: providing a protective lid comprising a dome shaped cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge, wherein the edge tapers toward the bottom surface; and a shaft protruding from the bottom surface of the cap, wherein the shaft comprises a top end connected to the cap and a bottom end, wherein the shaft is shaped to fit within a deck flange; removing a ladder or rail from a deck flange of a pool deck; inserting the shaft of the protective lid into the deck flange; and covering the pool and the protective lid with a tarp.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing two of the protective lids in use;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing a protective lid in use;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the embodiments of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom assembled perspective view of the embodiments of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a protective lid for a deck flange. The protective lid may include a cap and a shaft extending from the bottom of the cap. The cap may be rounded and in a dome shape. The shaft may be inserted into a deck flange. Due to the rounded dome shape of the cap, a tarp may be placed on to the protective lid without being torn or damaged.

The present invention may include a lid which inserts into a deck flange to protect pool covers and keep flanges clean. The present invention may be inserted into a deck flange creating a barrier between the pool cover and the deck flange. The present invention may disperse the tension of the pool cover preventing the pool cover from being damaged by being ripped, pierced, torn, punctured and the like by the deck flange.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention may include a protective lid 10 for a deck flange 18. In certain embodiments, the protective lid 10 may include a cap 12 and a shaft 22. The cap 12 may include a top surface and a bottom surface. The cap 12 may be circular in shape and may taper around the edges towards the bottom surface. Therefore, the cap 12 may be in the shape of a dome or mushroom cap. The shaft 22 may protrude and extend from the bottom surface of the cap 12. The shaft 22 may fit within a deck flange 18 on a pool deck 20.

In certain embodiments, the cap 12 of the protective lid 10 may further include an opening 16 going through the top surface and the bottom surface. The opening 16 may be used to access the securing feature of the deck flange 18. In certain embodiments, the opening 16 may be covered with a plug 14. The plug 14 may fit within the opening 16 and seal the opening 16 closed.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include an add-on extension 36. The extension 36 may be used when needed for certain style deck flanges 18. The extension 36 may attach to the bottom of the shaft 22. In certain embodiments, the shaft 22 may include an attachment component 34 which may releasably attach to the extensions 36. For example, the attachment component 34 may be a snap ring, a clip, threaded portions, a glue, and the like. In certain embodiments, the attachment component 34 may include a flat side 32 and the extension 36 may include a flat side 38. Therefore, the flat sides 32, 38 of the attachment component 34 and extension 36 may align and the extension may be attached to the shaft 22.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shaft 22 may fit into the opening of a deck flange 18. In certain embodiments, as illustrates in FIG. 8, the shaft 22 and the extension 36 may be inserted into the opening of a deck flange 18. The protective lid may be used for a standard protruding deck flange 18 or an in ground deck flange 40. When the pool is covered and pool ladders and pool hand rails have been removed from the deck flanges 18 the protective lid 10 may disperse the tension of the pool cover 24 preventing the pool cover from being damaged (ripped, pierced, torn, punctured, etc.) by the deck flange 18. Additionally, the protective lid 10 may keep the deck flange 18 clean of debris by closing the hole or covering the deck anchor 18 opening.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. A user may first remove a ladder or hand rail from a deck flange. The protective lid may be inserted into the deck flanges. The protective lid may be inserted into each exposed deck anchor. The protective lid may be used when a pool is covered up or closed for the season. The securing feature of the deck anchor may be used to secure the present invention in place. For certain style deck anchors this would be done through the access hole on the cap of the present invention. In certain embodiments, prior to inserting the protective lid, the extension may be attached to the shaft for certain deck flanges. The access plug may be used to seal the top of the cap. Once in place, the product may remain in place until it is removed, usually when the pool is uncovered or reopened for the season. Additionally, the present invention may be placed into any deck flange that may be covered by a tarp.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective lid for a deck flange comprising: a dome shaped cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge, wherein the edge tapers toward the bottom surface; a shaft protruding from the bottom surface of the cap, wherein the shaft comprises a top end connected to the cap and a bottom end, wherein the shaft is shaped to fit within a deck flange.
 2. The protective lid of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises an opening running through the top surface and the bottom surface.
 3. The protective lid of claim 2, further comprising a plug formed to fit within the opening.
 4. The protective lid of claim 1, further comprising an attachment component at the bottom end of the shaft.
 5. The protective lid of claim 4, further comprising an extension that releasably attaches to the attachment component.
 6. The protective lid of claim 4, wherein the attachment component is a snap ring.
 7. A method of covering a pool comprising: providing a protective lid comprising a dome shaped cap comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge, wherein the edge tapers toward the bottom surface; a shaft protruding from the bottom surface of the cap, wherein the shaft comprises a top end connected to the cap and a bottom end, wherein the shaft is shaped to fit within a deck flange; removing a ladder or rail from a deck flange of a pool deck; inserting the shaft of the protective lid into the deck flange; and covering the pool and the protective lid with a tarp. 